Distressed Resin Bangles

Currently experimenting with resin mold making and casting. I recently found a really cool geometric wooden bangle at our local Saver's thrift store. Sadly, there was only one,and I really wanted to try multiple styles of decorating this bangle. I turned to my current favorite resin, Amazing Casting Resin. It's low odor, dries quickly and is nicely paintable with a bit of sanding. Is used it to make a lot of different bezel settings at Christmas time and they are quite durable. A little gilder's paste on them and they took just like metal with a really nice patina. The picture below is the mold made from Amazing Rubber Mold ( same company,awesome results, and a kind of pleasant smell,too). The piece I am holding is the cast resin piece. Releases from the mold with no need of mold release. Since the original bangle is wood,the mold picked up the wood grain and it gave the finished piece a nice texture that the paint could adhere to without sanding/texturing. The old sanding needed was a little of the edges at the top of the mold wear it was poured.

                                  

























The second picture is a few more styles. Yes, it is a bit addictive making your own bases.

 
























                                              After all the sanding, I chose a chalk turquoise paint for the base coat. It adhered beautifully. 2nd coat added.

                                  


























When the bangle was totally dried, I went to town with the metallic finish. I picked gold, to give the bracelet a faux patina appearance. Decorating Metralic Lustre works great, adheres quickly and can be buffed to a nice shine with a cloth. Next, sealer added for protection and, voila!

 Trying the base next with decoupaged comic images,so look for an update soon!

works in progress..

mini post update (because I am such a slacker when it comes to this blog)

I finally managed to find a Beadalon bracelet jig...LOVE this thing.

working on some bangle charm bracelets for the holidays,and experimenting with different wire gauges.

Back to blogging...and an Etsy Anniversary Sale!

Hey there! After a way too lengthy absence, I am back at the blog!
Just a quick update right now, then hopefully a much lengthier blog later this week.
According the the Etsy site, I opened my shop with them 8 years ago. Doesn't seem that long ago!
Anyways, as a little 'thank you' to all my fellow fanboy/fangirl/geek/nerds or however you identify, I am having a 50% off all recycled comic jewelry running through August 31st. Just be sure to use the code 'GEEKCELEBRATION' at checkout!
www.etsy.com/shop/lucie39
Here's a few of the goodies available

Boston Comic Con 2014

Sorry to have been away for so long!!! Can't believe last Oct. was my last post. Life gets in the way sometimes.

This past weekend was one of my favorite geek related getaways...Boston Comic Con! Travelled with the boy and some friends to take in the sights. Despite having to wait over 2 hours in line to get in (can't get over how HUGE this show has become ) we had an amazing day. One if the most refreshing things is how female and family friendly these shows are becoming. So many families cosplaying together. It was great. I wish I had gotten a picture or video of the adorable dad dressed as Spiderman (sans mask, and I swear this guy could have been Andrew Garfield's twin!) walking with his little Spiderbaby (probably not even a year old yet) on his shoulders. I swear I heard about 400 girls "Awwww!!!!" at the same time!

I will share some of the pics I did get...enjoy!

Batman and Robin--loved that this little guy cosplayed as Damian

Another adorable Spider Family

I had to get a pic of these two as Phoenix and Wolverine...one of my favorite comic couples

Skyrim Cosplayers photo bombed by Where's Waldo

That Waldo is such a trouble maker!

These Valkyries were awesome!!!

This guy's costume was unbelievable up close. Movie quality stuff

A classic Peter Quill/Starlord costume. The fellow was dancing spectacularly to the song 'Walk This Way'--the RunDMC version as Darryl DMC McDaniels and crew were exhibitors at the show and walked through the crowd with the boombox blaring this favorite.

So. Much. Star Wars!

Halo cosplay. My son stalked these guys. I can see his Cosplay gears turning for next year's show.

So,so many cool toys. Where were these when I was a kid?!

The coolest apparel ever.

This show was just packed.

The con floor stayed packed almost until close. 

More of the con floor

My kiddo decided he needed to get in on some cosplay action,too. He is already thinking ahead for his costume for next year's show.

Until next year,Boston Comic Con!!!

Sunday Morning Blogging with a Spotlight Feature on LivingDeadGirlNicole!

Vacation...nothing relaxes the mind quite like it. I have to say, of all my seasonal times off from the day job, I love my fall one the best. The sights, the colors, the aromas (pumpkin EVERYTHING) the cooler weather...it is just the best.
 Plus, it is nice wind down from an extremely busy month round here. October (followed closely by June) is THE BIRTHDAY MONTH around here. Hard to believe my kiddo had his 12th birthday just last week. Since it fell on a school day this year, we had the traditional family celebration that night complete with 'Pokemon' cake.


This year his celebration choice for the following was to attend a local Renaissance Faire ,so that is what we did. Fun times and revelry were had by all (in addition to empty pockets experienced by parents. But it was worth it.)

On to today's Spotlight Feature!
Keeping in the spirit of the Halloween season, today's spotlight is on the awesome and eerie work of
LivingDeadGirlNicole
Here is a little bit about Nicole's artwork in her own words from her Etsy bio:
I find beauty in all things dark, spooky or mythical. Aspects of that are reflected not only in my style but also in my art work. When other little girls wanted to be ballerinas I wanted to be Elvira.... I still do! I'm the type of girl that if Zombies attack I want to join em not fight em. Some of my favorite things are horror movies, bats, Halloween, themed costume parties, Renaissance Faires, Muppets, Tattoos, rock music, fairy and fantasy art, Universal Monsters and The Munsters. I like to draw, paint, scrapbook, craft and do anything that gets my creative blood flowing.

One of the first things in Nicole's shop that caught my eye is that she is a talented artist. I love this portrait of Katherine Isabelle in 'Ginger Snaps'.

Love the colors in this 'Day of the Dead' barrette

Batty Burlesque!

Goblets made perfect for a Gothic-styled wedding

You can see more of Nicole's work on her own website:

http://www.artworkbylivingdeadgirlnicole.com/

and on her Etsy site:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LivingDeadGirlNicole

Have spooky good time!

100th Post and a Spotlight on Kayla Conspiracy

In truth,I should have hit my 100th post a looooooong time ago,but hey, we finally made it!

 The last few weeks have been busy with the start of the new school year between my own classroom (I teach preschool)and my son beginning middle school and starting at a new school. Our second floor tenant moved out, leaving an apartment that needed a whole renovation before it could be rentable again.I will spare you those horror show pics.

Then,because it wasn't chaotic enough,I had shingles flare up on my face. I had always heard you could only get shingles once (my 1st episode was in July and on my side), but apparently that is NOT TRUE.I have been documenting the whole episode on my phone (the doctor loved this idea,so she could see the progression). It's been two weeks since the initial rash and it is finally starting to scab and clear,but the itch and burning discomfort remain. Maybe I will do a whole post on it someday,complete with my "Walking Dead' extra face shots,lol.

So, with a bit of sick time on my hands I have been working on few things I have been wanting to learn, such as digital drawing. Way back when I was in college, digital drawing was in it's beginning stages.Heck, the whole internet was in it's beginning stages! So, needless to say, I am a bit behind on things. I don't have the time or resources to take classes right now,but I am still a determined student. I finally found styluses I feel comfortable drawing on my Ipad with. My tools of choice are a Bamboo stylus, Nomadbrush Flex,and my favorite,the Jot Pro. I find the Jot mimics the feel of real drawing tool in my hand the best,and I love the fine point. All three work great,though.
here are some links for you interested in looking into them
Nomad Brush Flex
 The Jot Pro
Wacom Bamboo Stylus
here is a pic I did of my kiddo of when he was a baby,using the Jot Pro and the Pen and Ink app on Ipad

Not too bad for a beginner. I love a new hobby.

Next up, let's get to our spotlight feature! Today we are turning the spotlight on The Kayla Conspiracy
Kayla makes some pretty awesome geek inspired chic fashions. Here's a bit about Kayla from her bio:

Kayla Conspiracy Clothing & Accessories is a mother/daughter operation specializing in geeky and novelty fashion and jewelry.

From Avengers dresses to Harry Potter jewelry, we've got something for you!
We also are happy to do custom orders so if you need something in a different size, don't hesitate to ask!

I am loving this Shield Inspired Skirt

Pretty superhero inspired combs with bows

fun jewelry like these Harry Potter inspired Lightning Bolt earrings

and I LOVE these superhero styled overskirts

Kayla Conspiracy can be found on their Etsy shop Tumblr and Facebook

Be sure to check them out!!!

Summer Nights,Summer Skies...

I have been having a lot of fun experimenting with photography lately. I really love messing around with different apps,tints, exposures and colors. The following pictures in the collages were taken in New Bedford on an amazing full moon night,using my Sony Experia Ion phone, and edited using Pixlr Express,Aviary,Instagram and Photo Grid.